Big Island police capture escapee, 2nd remains at large

Big Island police have located one of two inmates who escaped from the Hale Nani correctional facility Wednesday night.

At 11:50 a.m. Friday, Kona Patrol officers and Community Policing officers responded to a report that 27-year-old Andrew Wanat had been seen on Alapa Street in Kailua-Kona.

When officers responded, he attempted to run away twice before he was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree escape and taken to the Kona police cellblock while police continue the investigation.

The second inmate is still at large. Robert Garcia, 23, who has no permanent address, is described 5-foot-7, about 130 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes. He often wears a goatee and mustache, and he has tattoos on his right forearm and the left side of his neck.